To err is human … and funny

By Walter J. Lyng

After a winter’s worth of very serious theatre, a good degree of levity has graced the Centaur Theatre thanks to their new production of The Comedy of Errors by some fledgling playwright named William Shakespeare. 

To offer a synopsis of this play would likely do little justice to the source material and would definitely make my head hurt a little bit. All I’ll say is that it’s about twins who aren’t aware of each other’s existence and who happen to have servants who are also each other’s twin. Following so far?

A whole mess of problems ensue for everyone involved based solely on people confusing one twin for the other. The fact that the rich twins are both named Antipholus and the servant twins are both named Dromio further complicates the issue. Also, the twins are inexplicably dressed the same.

And, as an added flare in this production, the servant twins — who are depicted as male — are played by women.

For a more detailed plot synopsis, I would urge you to consult your CliffsNotes version of the play from your high school years.

Shakespeare tangentially touches on the idea of confused identity in Hamlet with the characters of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who offer a pinch of comic relief in a play otherwise bereft of chuckles. Here though, it’s the driving force of action and the source of some surprisingly broad (albeit good) comedy by Shakespeare standards.

The madcap zaniness is rendered with great enthusiasm and energy by the principal actors. While Andreas Apergis and Marcel Jeannin deliver standout performances as the two Antipholus, Danielle Desormeaux and Debra Kirshenbaum steal the show with their take on the two Dromios.

Frequently seen being beaten or sobbing uncontrollably, these characters, who are highly reminiscent of The Three Stooges’ Curly, help to remind the audience that they’re still watching a comedy when the tone occasionally gets a little more serious.

While Shakespeare’s original dialogue is maintained, the setting is moved to present day Montreal, which acts as a surprisingly appropriate backdrop to the unfolding action. Downtown dwellers will no doubt delight in seeing landmarks like Café Cleopatra make cameo appearances.

The dialogue is a little dense at points, but I’m sure this Shakespeare guy will quickly perfect his craft in time for his next play. I can’t wait!

The Comedy of Errors runs until March 28. For more information, visit www.centaurtheatre.com.